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Visa for family reunification: Spouse

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You are already married or intend to get married to a German national or a person living permanently in Germany and consequently want to live together in Germany?

Information about the application procedure can be found here.

Checklist of required documents for a visa for the purpose of spousal reunification (print-version) :

11x Application form

Application completed, printed and signed (including Information provided to applicants pursuant to Section 54 (2) 8 in conjunction with Section 53 of the Residence Act)

2

Passport

+ 1x copy of the data page
Valid and signed passport which must have at least two blank pages.
31x Photo
Recent passport photographs according to biometric specifications (not stapled)
4

Marriage certificate

+ 1x copy

Original marriage certificate with Apostille (from DIRCO, if marriage took place in SA)

alternatively: confirmation by the German Standesamt (Anmeldung zur Eheschließung) with confirmed appointement for the intended marriage in Germany

51x copy of spouse’s passport

6

Proof of health insurance

+ 1x copy

Regular travel health insurance as per Schengen requirements, valid for 90 days – or proof of German health insurance coverage
to be submitted only at the time of visa issuance, if application has been decided favorably

7

Proof of German knowledge
(A1 level)

+ 1x copies

The proof of German language skills (A1 level) must be presented when lodging the application.
NB: Only the following language test certificates can be accepted:

  • “Start Deutsch 1” or higher from Goethe-Institute,
  • “Start Deutsch 1” or higher from telc GmbH (The European Language Certificate)
  • “Grundstufe Deutsch 1” or higher of the Austrian Language Diploma (ÖSD)
  • “TestDaF” from TestDaF-Institut e.V. (available on the level B2 or higher)

Please see here for more information.

8

In case of former marriages:

Divorce decree or death certificate of former spouse

91x checklist
One copy of this checklist has to be signed and submitted with your application.

If your spouse is neither a German citizen nor a EU citizen the following additional documents are required:

10

1x copy of proof of residence permit of spouse in Germany

111x copy of proof of employment of spouse
121x copy of proof of accomodation in Germany
e.g. rental contract
13The Visa fee amounts to 75 Euro (if paid by credit card) or the equivalent in ZAR depending on the exchange rate (if paid cash).

The German Mission reserves the right to ask for additional documentation at any time during the processing of the application whenever deemed necessary. Presenting the above-mentioned documentation does not guarantee that the visa will be granted. We strongly recommend that you do not purchase an airline ticket unless the visa has been approved and the German Mission requests you to do so.

The processing time can take up to three months. Once the application has been approved by the relevant German authority, the German Mission will issue a visa valid for 3 months. Your subsequent residence permit will be issued by the competent Aliens Authority in Germany. You are required to apply well in advance for it before the expiry of the visa.

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